How often should you conduct a cybersecurity audit for your Technical Support team?

1 The type of audit

There are different types of cybersecurity audits that you can conduct for your Technical Support team, depending on your objectives, scope, and resources. For example, you can perform a self-assessment, where you use a checklist or a framework to evaluate your own security posture and compliance. Alternatively, you can hire an external auditor, who can provide an independent and objective assessment of your security controls and standards. Depending on the type of audit you choose, the frequency may vary. Generally, a self-assessment can be done more often, such as quarterly or biannually, while an external audit can be done less frequently, such as annually or biennially.

3 The changes in the environment

A third factor to consider is the changes in the environment that may affect your Technical Support team's security posture and performance. For example, if your Technical Support team adopts new technologies, tools, or processes, such as cloud computing, remote work, or automation, they may introduce new security challenges or opportunities that need to be assessed and addressed. Likewise, if your Technical Support team faces new regulations, standards, or expectations from customers, partners, or authorities, they may need to update or improve their security policies and practices to comply and satisfy them. In these cases, you may need to conduct a cybersecurity audit whenever there is a significant change in the environment that impacts your Technical Support team's security.

4 The best practices and recommendations

A final factor to consider is the best practices and recommendations from experts and authorities in the field of cybersecurity and Technical Support. For example, you can follow the guidelines and frameworks from organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), or the Center for Internet Security (CIS), which provide standards and benchmarks for cybersecurity audits and assessments. Alternatively, you can consult with professional associations or industry peers, such as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the Association of Support Professionals (ASP), or the Help Desk Institute (HDI), which offer insights and advice for cybersecurity audits and assessments. Depending on the best practices and recommendations that you follow, the frequency of your cybersecurity audit may vary. Generally, it is advisable to conduct a cybersecurity audit at least once a year, or more often if needed, to ensure your Technical Support team's security.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?